Jan. 30, 2013

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois sophomore Nelle Youel was named Mid-American Conference Women's Tennis Player of the Week, the league announced Wednesday. Youel becomes the second Huskie under sixth-year Head Coach Ryun Ferrell to earn the honor and the first since Kathryn Friedlund in 2009.

The Crystal Lake Central (Crystal Lake, Ill.) product led the Huskies at No. 1 doubles and No. 1 singles with six wins, and no losses, in the opening weekend of the spring schedule to give Ferrell his first 3-0 start to a season. In doubles play, Youel dropped just four of 28 games. She was even more impressive in singles action, losing only two of 38 games.

In NIU's 6-1 win at home over Bradley on Friday, Youel teamed with Arantza De La Torre (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Motolinia) for an 8-4 win over Adele Henke and Corey Mattson. She then dominated her singles match with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Henke. On Saturday, Youel did not drop one game all day in two matches. In a 7-0 win against Valparaiso, she and De La Torre cruised past Kristin Zakiewicz and Michele Fredlake 8-0. Youel followed with an impressive 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Zakiewicz. In a 7-0 win over Western Illinois, Youel and De La Torre again scored an 8-0 doubles win, this time over Yessenia Mejia and Ese Davis. Youel ended her weekend with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 decision over Mejia.

Youel and the Huskies return to action on Saturday, Feb. 2 for a 1 p.m. CT home match with Southern Illinois in Rockford, Ill. at Boylan Tennis Center.